Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today (Thursday) welcomed the news from Scottish Power that the organisation is to compensate customers in relation to the recent cable theft incident which took place in Larkfield, Greenock.
Damage caused by metal thieves in Greenock left one person hospitalised and 4 fires, alongside hundreds of homes being left without power – all from the theft of just two metres of cable.
Scottish Power have indicated to Mr McMillan they are to offer customers a service payment of £100.
Commenting, SNP MSP Stuart McMillan said:
“I am pleased to learn that Scottish Power will be compensating customers in the Larkfield area who were affected by the mindless actions of thieves looking to steal cable.
“This incident, once again highlights the seriousness of cable and metal theft and how it’s not a victimless crime.
Therefore, I will not relent in my campaign to see tougher penalties against those who seek to profit from cable and metal theft.”
Thursday, 28 November 2013
Tuesday, 26 November 2013
McMillan welcomes publication of Guide to an Independent Scotland
SNP MSP Stuart McMillan is urging all Inverclyde residents to get involved in the referendum debate by reading the Scottish Government's flagship guide to independence, which was published today (Tuesday).
The 670-page document - the most comprehensive blueprint for independence ever produced by any country ahead of an independence vote - was launched to an audience of hundreds of journalists from across the globe.
The document Scotland’s Future: Your Guide to An Independent Scotland contains a comprehensive Question and Answer section, running to more than 200 pages, providing answers to 650 questions on independence.
The answers – along with downloadable copies of “Scotland’s Future: Your Guide to An Independent Scotland" - are available at www.scotreferendum.com as a fully searchable resource so that residents of Inverclyde can easily find the answers they are looking for ahead of the referendum.
The guide shows how Scotland will move from a Yes vote on September 18th next year, toward its independence on March 24th 2016 – ahead of the first elections in an independent Scotland. It also describes the huge financial savings that can be made – including half a billion pounds on defence spending, and savings from no longer contributing to the funding of the Westminster Parliament.
Besides addressing the various questions asked about what independence offers, Scotland's Future also outlines the Scottish Government's ambitious plans to use the powers to make Scotland a fairer, more prosperous country – should the SNP win the first elections of an independent Scotland in 2016.
At the heart of this is a transformational increase in childcare provision that would help more people into work – particularly women – and provide up to 35,000 jobs in the process. This only becomes possible with the powers offered by independence, because only an independent Scotland would have the resources to make it happen. Currently all the increased tax revenues that would help make the policy affordable would go to the Westminster Treasury, rather than staying in Scotland.
As well as guarantees on the minimum wage and a ‘triple lock’ on pension increases to ensure that they rise at least in line with the cost of living, the Scottish Government also proposes new measures to permanently reduce energy bills by 5% and ensure basic rate tax allowances and credits to rise in line at least with inflation.
Commenting, MSP Stuart McMillan said:
"This landmark document takes the referendum debate into a new phase. No country in history is as well-equipped as Scotland is to move toward independence, and even the staunchest opponents of Yes now accept that Scotland has got what it takes to be an independent country.
“The guide and the answers it provides will show clearly and simply the difference that we can make in Scotland if decisions on Scotland’s future are taken by those who care most about Scotland, that is the people who live and work here.
"The referendum on 18th September next year is a vote unlike any other - it is the biggest opportunity we have had as a country in 300 years. That's why I'm calling on everyone in Inverclyde - regardless of what their current views are on independence - to read this guide, to compare it with any alternative future for Scotland and make up your own mind.”
http://www.scotreferendum.com/
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/
The 670-page document - the most comprehensive blueprint for independence ever produced by any country ahead of an independence vote - was launched to an audience of hundreds of journalists from across the globe.
The document Scotland’s Future: Your Guide to An Independent Scotland contains a comprehensive Question and Answer section, running to more than 200 pages, providing answers to 650 questions on independence.
The answers – along with downloadable copies of “Scotland’s Future: Your Guide to An Independent Scotland" - are available at www.scotreferendum.com as a fully searchable resource so that residents of Inverclyde can easily find the answers they are looking for ahead of the referendum.
The guide shows how Scotland will move from a Yes vote on September 18th next year, toward its independence on March 24th 2016 – ahead of the first elections in an independent Scotland. It also describes the huge financial savings that can be made – including half a billion pounds on defence spending, and savings from no longer contributing to the funding of the Westminster Parliament.
Besides addressing the various questions asked about what independence offers, Scotland's Future also outlines the Scottish Government's ambitious plans to use the powers to make Scotland a fairer, more prosperous country – should the SNP win the first elections of an independent Scotland in 2016.
At the heart of this is a transformational increase in childcare provision that would help more people into work – particularly women – and provide up to 35,000 jobs in the process. This only becomes possible with the powers offered by independence, because only an independent Scotland would have the resources to make it happen. Currently all the increased tax revenues that would help make the policy affordable would go to the Westminster Treasury, rather than staying in Scotland.
As well as guarantees on the minimum wage and a ‘triple lock’ on pension increases to ensure that they rise at least in line with the cost of living, the Scottish Government also proposes new measures to permanently reduce energy bills by 5% and ensure basic rate tax allowances and credits to rise in line at least with inflation.
Commenting, MSP Stuart McMillan said:
"This landmark document takes the referendum debate into a new phase. No country in history is as well-equipped as Scotland is to move toward independence, and even the staunchest opponents of Yes now accept that Scotland has got what it takes to be an independent country.
“The guide and the answers it provides will show clearly and simply the difference that we can make in Scotland if decisions on Scotland’s future are taken by those who care most about Scotland, that is the people who live and work here.
"The referendum on 18th September next year is a vote unlike any other - it is the biggest opportunity we have had as a country in 300 years. That's why I'm calling on everyone in Inverclyde - regardless of what their current views are on independence - to read this guide, to compare it with any alternative future for Scotland and make up your own mind.”
http://www.scotreferendum.com/
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/
Monday, 25 November 2013
McMillan Congratulates School Pupils on Youth Speech Victory
Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West Scotland) has congratulated pupils from St Stephen’s High School in Port Glasgow for winning the S3 Youth Speech Competition 2013 Grand Final.
Mr McMillan has lodged a motion for support at the Scottish Parliament to welcome the victory by Fiona Spence, Lee Thompson and Ainslee McDade of St Stephen’s High School.
Mr McMillan said:
"I was delighted to learn of the excellent success at the S3 Youth Speech Competition 2013 Grand Final by pupils of St Stephen’s High School.
“This is excellent news for St Stephen's High School and it’s a credit to the school, teachers and pupils involved.
“I have now lodged a motion for support at the Scottish Parliament to highlight to my colleagues the success of the school and its pupils.”
Scottish Parliamentary motion lodged by Stuart McMillan MSP;
Motion Number: S4M-08401
Lodged By: Stuart McMillan
Date Lodged: 25/11/2013
Title: S3 Youth Speech Competition 2013 Grand Final
Motion Text:
That the Parliament congratulates Fiona Spence, Lee Thompson and Ainslee McDade of St Stephen’s High School in Port Glasgow on winning the S3 Youth Speech Competition 2013 Grand Final; notes that this competition was organised by the Association of Speakers Clubs with judges from Renfrew, Greenock and Giffnock Speakers Clubs, and further notes that the grand final was held in the Normandy Hotel in Renfrew on 20 November 2013 and comprised of schools from Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire.
Thursday, 21 November 2013
McMillan Encouraged by Consultation Response so Far
Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP West Scotland) has today announced that he has been encouraged by the response rate to a consultation he launched earlier this month on fuel costs in Inverclyde.
The consultation, launched on 4th of November, asks residents for their views on the cost of petrol and diesel in Inverclyde, while also asking for information on where residents regularly buy fuel.
Survey letters have now been distributed to over 9,000 residents with the last 1,000 to be delivered next week. Bringing the total contacted to over 10,000.
So far over 1,000 responses have been received, with 99% of drivers confirming they feel they pay more at the pump than neighbouring areas.
Full results will be announced once all responses have been received.
Stuart McMillan MSP said:
"To receive over 1,000 responses already, particularly as many surveys were only delivered this week, is encouraging.
"The cost of filing up at the pump in Inverclyde is a particularly important issue to the people of the area.
"I am sure the speed that the responses are coming in at will continue, which will then allow me to take forward the views of residents.
"However, what is evidently clear already is that almost every motorist in Inverclyde recognise there is a problem."
ENDS
McMillan Welcomes Inverclyde Community Development Trust to the Scottish Parliament
Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West Scotland) has today (Thursday) welcomed Inverclyde Community Development Trust to the Scottish Parliament. The organisation, under the ‘Gie’s Peace’ project banner, were visiting the Scottish Parliament to showcase their dvd on tackling sectarianism.
The ‘Gie’s Peace’ project, being run by Inverclyde Community Development Trust with Scottish Government funding, aims to bring together a range of individual volunteers and organisations from across the Inverclyde community to work in partnership to begin tackling sectarianism together.
Also in attendance was the Minister for Community Safety, Roseanna Cunningham MSP, who had the opportunity to meet the volunteers involved with making the dvd and also started in the production.
Speaking after the event Mr McMillan said:
“I was delighted to welcome Inverclyde Community Development Trust to the Scottish Parliament and for them to showcase their dvd on tackling the issue of sectarianism.
“Sectarianism is utterly unacceptable in modern Scottish society and projects such as ‘Gie’s Peace’ are important in highlighting the wrongs of spouting religious hatred.
“I know the Scottish Government is fully committed to tackling the issue of sectarianism and this was further demonstrated by the Minister for Community Safety attending the event, in Parliament, today.
“I wish everyone involved in the ‘Gie’s Peace’ project the very best for the future.”
Laura Mathieson, Community Development Worker also added;
“Trust Volunteering’s ‘Gie’s Peace’ Project staff and volunteers would like to thank Mr McMillan MSP and his staff for making today possible.
“We have been so fortunate to secure funding from the Community Safety Unit of The Scottish Government, this allows us to continue delivery of Anti-Sectarian initiatives throughout Inverclyde until March 2015.
“I would like to say a huge thank you and well done to all of our fantastic volunteers for their time and effort. They are the project and without them ‘Gie’s Peace’ would have no impact.”
The ‘Gie’s Peace’ project, being run by Inverclyde Community Development Trust with Scottish Government funding, aims to bring together a range of individual volunteers and organisations from across the Inverclyde community to work in partnership to begin tackling sectarianism together.
Also in attendance was the Minister for Community Safety, Roseanna Cunningham MSP, who had the opportunity to meet the volunteers involved with making the dvd and also started in the production.
“I was delighted to welcome Inverclyde Community Development Trust to the Scottish Parliament and for them to showcase their dvd on tackling the issue of sectarianism.
“Sectarianism is utterly unacceptable in modern Scottish society and projects such as ‘Gie’s Peace’ are important in highlighting the wrongs of spouting religious hatred.
“I know the Scottish Government is fully committed to tackling the issue of sectarianism and this was further demonstrated by the Minister for Community Safety attending the event, in Parliament, today.
“I wish everyone involved in the ‘Gie’s Peace’ project the very best for the future.”
Laura Mathieson, Community Development Worker also added;
“Trust Volunteering’s ‘Gie’s Peace’ Project staff and volunteers would like to thank Mr McMillan MSP and his staff for making today possible.
“We have been so fortunate to secure funding from the Community Safety Unit of The Scottish Government, this allows us to continue delivery of Anti-Sectarian initiatives throughout Inverclyde until March 2015.
“I would like to say a huge thank you and well done to all of our fantastic volunteers for their time and effort. They are the project and without them ‘Gie’s Peace’ would have no impact.”
LGA Comments Further Evidence that NO vote would see Major Cuts to Scotland's Budget
Fresh calls from the Local Government Association to scrap the Barnett formula have made it clearer than ever that a No vote next year would lead to severe cuts in Scotland’s budget.
The calls from the Local Government Association follows the visit to Scotland of Carwyn Jones, who has previously echoed calls for the scrapping of the Barnett formula in a move which the Holtham Commission indicated could see Scotland’s budget cut by £4 billion in a single year.
This morning on GMS, the Welsh First Minister was asked whether his calls to scrap the Barnett Formula would mean more or less funding for Scotland. He replied: “It’s difficult to tell, what we do know because we’ve looked at it purely from a Welsh perspective is that we’re under funded by £300 million. From my point of view, as long as that under funding is dealt with it doesn’t really matter in terms of what happens in Scotland.”
Scotland currently generates 9.9% of UK tax revenues, but receives just 9.3% of UK public spending and has paid more in tax per head than the rest of the UK for all of the last thirty years.
Commenting, SNP MSP Stuart McMillan said:
“These calls from the Local Government Association are the latest evidence that a No vote next year would see the axe taken to Scotland’s budget.
“With politicians from across the Westminster parties lining up to cut Scotland’s budget, there can be no escaping the dismal reality of what a No vote means for Scotland.
“The Holtham Commission has made clear that Scotland could see £4 billion taken straight out of our finances, which would have an absolutely devastating impact on services and communities across the length and breadth of Scotland.
“For Labour's Carwyn Jones to claim that the impact this would have on Scotland doesn’t really matter is frankly breath-taking, and speaks volumes about the attitude of the No campaign.
“Scotland already more than pays our own way in the UK, and these appalling moves to inflict severe cuts to Scotland’s budget can only be avoided by Scotland gaining full responsibility for our own tax and spending decisions.
“Only a Yes vote next year will protect Scotland from the billions of pounds of cuts that would inevitably come our way if Scotland remains tied to the Westminster system.”
Notes:
The Local Government Association calls can be viewed at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25023410
1) The Panelbase poll found the following results:
If you knew that the Barnett formula was going to be abolished after 2015, how would it affect your vote in the independence referendum?
Much more likely to vote Yes: 18
Slightly more likely to vote Yes: 9
No difference – I’ll vote Yes anyway: 21
No difference – I’ll vote No anyway: 33
Slightly more likely to vote No: 2
Much more likely to vote No: 3
Don’t know: 15
This equates to the following result:
Yes - 48%
No - 38%
Don’t know - 15%
Excluding don’t knows:
Yes - 56%
No - 44%
Wings Over Scotland / Panelbase Poll; Sample size: 1008; Fieldwork dates: 17-24 October 2013
2) During STV’s Election Face to Face series of interviews on 19 April 2010, Alistair Carmichael stated: "We do want to see Barnett scrapped. We want to see that replaced by what we call a needs based formula...”
3) Margaret Curran comments from the Telegraph, 24 September 2013:
Rhodri Morgan, the former Welsh First Minister, also used the meeting to ask Ms Curran whether an independent organisation should distribute public money to the three devolved assemblies instead of the Treasury using the Barnett formula.
She said: “I do believe that we should allocate public funding on the basis of need and it should not be around just a regional or a national demarcation around that.
4) Further Labour pressure for a cut to Barnett from the Scotsman (14 April 2013) reporting that Labour MPs were unhappy with Johann Lamont’s devolution Commission indicated that Labour MPs outwith Scotland want Barnett scrapped:
Another MP pointed out that any further devolution would need support from the Labour Party in England … “There are Labour MPs in England now who are getting fed up with it, not just Tories. They are saying ‘you guys just want the benefits of being in the UK but aren’t willing to play your part’.”
5) Senior Tories have repeatedly called for the Barnett Formula to be scrapped if Scotland votes No:
RUTH DAVIDSON MSP: On 26th March 2012 Ruth Davidson was reported telling the Sun:
“Barnett [formula] was only supposed to be temporary... I do think that there will be a review of Barnett after 2014. The ground has shifted since devolution.”
DAVID CAMERON: From the Herald, 23 May 2008
Asked if it was time to get rid of the formula, Mr Cameron says: "This cannot last forever, the time is approaching ... If we replace the Barnett Formula with a needs-based formula, Scotland has very great needs and Scotland will get very great resources."
Asked if, therefore, the formula is coming to the end of the road, he replies: "Yes, that's right…”
SIR MERRICK COCKELL: Sir Merrick Cockell, a Tory council leader and head of the Local Government Association (LGA) in England, has indicated that the…:
“…LGA has confirmed it will press the Treasury to create a new system of sharing funding across the UK which would be likely to reduce the £30 billion block grant that Scotland receives each year to spend on schools, hospitals and roads.” (Scotsman, 28 Jul 2013)
PRITI PATEL MP: In a speech to the Institute of Economic Affairs (29/11/2012) Tory MP Priti Patel – who was one of David Cameron’s ‘A-list’ candidates – attacked what she called the "funding imbalance" of the Barnett formula, claiming that:
“Scots are basically getting a better deal than the rest of the country…These are considerable sums of money which should be reduced as part of the deficit reduction plans.”
CONSERVATIVE MPs: From the Daily Telegraph, 1st February 2010:
Most Conservative MPs want David Cameron to cut the amount of taxpayers' money spent in Scotland, new research shows...
...The IPPR questioned 114 MPs, around a fifth of the total, and found that the overwhelming majority are dissatisfied with the UK’s current constitutional arrangements.
72% of Tory MPs in the poll said they believe that England is “losing out” because of devolution to Scotland and Wales. 74% of Conservatives said the current system for distributing money around the UK is unfair on England.
Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Dear Constituents,
I write to you in connection with the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill which had its Stage 1 debate in Parliament tonight.
I took some considerable time to decide which way to vote as this issue has challenged some of my own beliefs about marriage. Therefore, before I voted, I had to ensure that I was content with my actions.
I believe the Scottish Government have brought forward this legislation with the best of intentions and I would like to commend the Equal Opportunities Committee (EOC) for their scrutiny of the bill and their Stage 1 Report (The Report). I have read it thoroughly and found it to be detailed and fair.
I decided to vote for the bill. The bill has a number of safeguards in place which appear to provide security for churches and individual celebrants who do not wish to take part in same sex marriage. Paragraphs 122 and 123 of the Report highlight the ‘opt in’ provisions and in evidence given to the EOC, the Reverend David Coleman of the United Reformed Church stated:
“… we have been convinced that the guarantees that are contained within the bill are adequate. From one point of view, they might even be seen as excessive, but it might be sufficient guarantee that they are there and that no one is forced to engage in something that they are spiritually disinclined to do … As I said, we support the bill, because we believe that it contains guarantees, both to enable same-sex marriages to happen and to protect those who wish not to be party to that, while, from a public order point of view, not allowing them to bully those who wish to go ahead and prevent them from doing that.” (para 162)
A further issue that has been raised is that concerning Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and whether a legal challenge could force all churches to perform same sex marriages. During the EOC evidence session on 19th September, both Lynn Welsh and Aiden O’Neill QC provided their legal opinions on this matter. Lynn Welsh is head lawyer at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said at column 1494 of the Official Report for that meeting, in response to a question
Marco Biagi: My first question concerns the opt-in protections in the bill and whether any attempt on human rights grounds to require a faith group that had not opted into performing same-sex marriage to do so would succeed. I already have Ms Monaghan’s opinion on the record from what has been supplied to Liberty, but I would be grateful to hear the two other legal views.
Lynn Welsh: In short, the Commission believes that the opt-in provision will work and will not be open to human rights challenge.”
Aidan O’Neill QC responded by saying:
“In Scotland, there is a different relationship between church and state. The Church of Scotland is not and has never been a department of the state; indeed, we have always had what might be described as a Calvinist notion of the separation of church and state and in Scotland marriage law has a completely different history. Because, unlike the Church of England, the Church of Scotland cannot be seen as a public authority, the arguments that have been advanced on this issue are perhaps more plausible in the English situation and are less likely to have as much sway in Scotland.
Marco Biagi: Would article 9 of the European convention on human rights offer strong protection to a church against such a challenge?
Aidan O’Neill: Yes. Article 9, which stipulates
“the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion”,
is a rather overlooked ECHR provision. In addition to those absolute rights, there is also a right to manifest religion either
“in public or private ... in worship, ... practice and observance.”
That right to manifest religion can be modified or subject to interference if there are good reasons for that, but the other rights—
“to freedom of thought, conscience and religion”—
cannot. There would therefore be quite a hurdle and a strong protection under article 9 if churches can prove that they are not part of the state. That is the issue, and it is why there is the possibility of challenge with the Church of England, because of its peculiar status”
After reading the Bill, the EOC report, the Official Report of evidence sessions, various pieces of literature from both sides, the many emails and letters from constituents as well as meeting representatives from both sides of the debate, I decided to vote for the bill.
I recognise some people still have concerns about the issue of safeguards and Article 9 so I will continue to monitor these issues as the bill progresses through the Parliamentary process.
I hope this has been helpful.
Yours
Stuart McMillan MSP
I write to you in connection with the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill which had its Stage 1 debate in Parliament tonight.
I took some considerable time to decide which way to vote as this issue has challenged some of my own beliefs about marriage. Therefore, before I voted, I had to ensure that I was content with my actions.
I believe the Scottish Government have brought forward this legislation with the best of intentions and I would like to commend the Equal Opportunities Committee (EOC) for their scrutiny of the bill and their Stage 1 Report (The Report). I have read it thoroughly and found it to be detailed and fair.
I decided to vote for the bill. The bill has a number of safeguards in place which appear to provide security for churches and individual celebrants who do not wish to take part in same sex marriage. Paragraphs 122 and 123 of the Report highlight the ‘opt in’ provisions and in evidence given to the EOC, the Reverend David Coleman of the United Reformed Church stated:
“… we have been convinced that the guarantees that are contained within the bill are adequate. From one point of view, they might even be seen as excessive, but it might be sufficient guarantee that they are there and that no one is forced to engage in something that they are spiritually disinclined to do … As I said, we support the bill, because we believe that it contains guarantees, both to enable same-sex marriages to happen and to protect those who wish not to be party to that, while, from a public order point of view, not allowing them to bully those who wish to go ahead and prevent them from doing that.” (para 162)
A further issue that has been raised is that concerning Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and whether a legal challenge could force all churches to perform same sex marriages. During the EOC evidence session on 19th September, both Lynn Welsh and Aiden O’Neill QC provided their legal opinions on this matter. Lynn Welsh is head lawyer at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said at column 1494 of the Official Report for that meeting, in response to a question
Marco Biagi: My first question concerns the opt-in protections in the bill and whether any attempt on human rights grounds to require a faith group that had not opted into performing same-sex marriage to do so would succeed. I already have Ms Monaghan’s opinion on the record from what has been supplied to Liberty, but I would be grateful to hear the two other legal views.
Lynn Welsh: In short, the Commission believes that the opt-in provision will work and will not be open to human rights challenge.”
Aidan O’Neill QC responded by saying:
“In Scotland, there is a different relationship between church and state. The Church of Scotland is not and has never been a department of the state; indeed, we have always had what might be described as a Calvinist notion of the separation of church and state and in Scotland marriage law has a completely different history. Because, unlike the Church of England, the Church of Scotland cannot be seen as a public authority, the arguments that have been advanced on this issue are perhaps more plausible in the English situation and are less likely to have as much sway in Scotland.
Marco Biagi: Would article 9 of the European convention on human rights offer strong protection to a church against such a challenge?
Aidan O’Neill: Yes. Article 9, which stipulates
“the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion”,
is a rather overlooked ECHR provision. In addition to those absolute rights, there is also a right to manifest religion either
“in public or private ... in worship, ... practice and observance.”
That right to manifest religion can be modified or subject to interference if there are good reasons for that, but the other rights—
“to freedom of thought, conscience and religion”—
cannot. There would therefore be quite a hurdle and a strong protection under article 9 if churches can prove that they are not part of the state. That is the issue, and it is why there is the possibility of challenge with the Church of England, because of its peculiar status”
After reading the Bill, the EOC report, the Official Report of evidence sessions, various pieces of literature from both sides, the many emails and letters from constituents as well as meeting representatives from both sides of the debate, I decided to vote for the bill.
I recognise some people still have concerns about the issue of safeguards and Article 9 so I will continue to monitor these issues as the bill progresses through the Parliamentary process.
I hope this has been helpful.
Yours
Stuart McMillan MSP
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